While it was once a popular rest-stop along the Cobb & Co. coach route to the West Coast from Christchurch, the Courtenay hotel and store went out of business when the new railroad line was located south of the settlement, through nearby Kirwee.

Courtenay is now a cluster of rural homes and farms, devoid of shops or hotels, situated on the Old West Coast Road, formerly known as the “Coal Track”.

High-resolution photographs of the grave are available, plus one or two of the cemetery/church if applicable. This includes a full transcription, particularly for those stones that are hard to read or eroded.

ANSON, Catherine (d. 11th June, 1880). Born and married in India. Death notice in The Times, 6 August 1880, p. 1, reads: On the 11th June, at The Desert, Courtenay, New Zealand, CATHERINE, widow of the late MAJOR FREDERICK WALPOLE ANSON, of the Bengal Army.

ANSON, Frederick (d. 1911)

ANSON, Henrietta (d. 1929)

ANSON, Lorna Brooke (d. 21st October, 1965)

ANSON, Thomas Hamilton (d. 14 June 1894). Son of Francis William Anson and Catherine. One of Canterbury’s early settlers – arrived on the Cressy. His obituary in The Star (New Zealand), issue 4977, 15 June 1894, reads (in part): By the death of Mr. T. H. Anson, which took place last evening, Canterbury has lost another of the early settlers, one who for many years was intimately connected with a number of local bodies in the province. About three weeks ago some stacks of oat sheaves on Mr Anson’s farm at Courtenay were found to be on fire about eleven o’clock at night, and he at once went to the spot … and remained working at the fire all night while wet through. It is surmised that he then caught a chill, which resulted in his death. On Thursday last he left his home to attend a meeting of the Board of Education, and, feeling unwell, did not come into town, but stayed for the night at Halswell. He, however, came on to the meeting of the Board the next morning. During the meeting he was taken seriously ill, and was moved to the house of Mr. James Brett, Fendalton. In spite of unremitting attention, Mr Anson passed away at a quarter past eight last evening. Mr Anson was the son of an officer in the Imperial army and was born in India, and with his parents lived there through the exciting times of the Sepoy Mutiny. His father died shortly afterwards. He proceeded to England with his mother, and was educated at Eton. Upon leaving that school he came out to Canterbury in the ship Cressy about 1860, and was engaged as a cadet on Mr C. J. Harper’s Lake Coleridge station. About 1863 he entered into partnership with the late Mr J. K. Karslake and purchased the Waireka run in the Malvern district, as well as a block of country on the Broken River from Mr C. J. Harper. After occupying the property for about two years, they disposed of it…. In 1868, Messrs Karslake and Anson purchased the Mount Torlesse run and occupied it for several years. On the death of Mr Karslake, the property was sold Mr Anson then went to reside at Courtenay, on the property which he occupied up to the time of his death. In 1871 he married a daughter of the late Captain Gorle. This lady, with eight children, survives him. The eldest son, who is twenty-one years of age, has been managing the farm for some time.”

I have just come upon this site. I am a great great granddaughter of Charles White senior and Maryann White. I am wondering if Russell might be a relative? I can confirm that there is at least one Charles White buried at St Matthews as I have seen the grave.

Hi Cath, I’m also a great,great grandchild of Charles & Maryann White snr and they are buried in St Peters anglican grave yard in Christchurch. The Charles White buried in St Mathews is my Great grandfather and beside him was his brother George Frederick White and brother in law John Bonner. Russell

Great to hear from you Russell â cousin! (3rd I think) I have only just received your comment so not sure when you posted it. I wasnât even sure my post had been successful but clearly it was.

My grandmother, on my fatherâs side was the daughter of one of the White daughters (Maryann jnr) . My grandmother was one of five daughters and her father was Ward Robinson. The family lived at Springfield, a few kms from Whites Hotel before moving to Blackball on the West Coast. My father recalled his mother talking about going and playing at âWhitesâ as a child. My grandmother married a coaster and they continued to live in Blackball which is where my father was born. There was nine children in my fatherâs family but they are all deceased now having, in the main lived to good ages. My father died nine and a half years ago at the age of 96.

I have been to the graves of the White snrs and the St Matthews cemetery. I lived for many years in Darfield and used to drive past the Hotel every work day. It always gave me a good feeling.

Hi there, my father-in-law was buried at At Matthews, Courtenay (and my hubby and I were married there – family church). I don’t see mention of him here – Lewis Campen… We believe Granny Sadler to be buried there too – would there be a chance their headstones have been missed?